Mr. Ammirata AP Economics – Summer Assignment Sheet

Summer Assignment for AP Economics

Welcome to AP Economics!! Read the following VERY carefully.

All assignments will be due on the First Day of School!!!

Assignments: • PRINT and READ the text packet - Chapter 1, Appendix, and Chapter 2 –

Available below

• COMPLETE “Supplementary Questions” handout - Available below

Important dates: 1. September 5th (First day of School)

- Project due!

Good Luck – Look forward to meeting you all in September!!

Mr. Ammirata AP Economics – Summer Assignment Sheet

Complete the READING - Chapter 1, Appendix 1, and Chapter 2 and then answer the questions below. Answers should be WRITTEN in the spaces provided below.

1. Below are six statements. Indicate whether each one pertains to microeconomics (MIC)or macroeconomics (MAC).

________________ (a) “The inflation rate in Japan is at one of the lowest levels in thelast twenty years.”

________________ (b) “The profits of Target seem to be promising for next year.”

_________________ (c) “Demand is expected to fall in the PC industry as technologies flourish.”

________________ (d) “The GDP increased 5% in the second quarter of the year.”

________________ (e) “Exchange rates between the dollar and Euro have increased by 3 percent since last fall.”

________________ (f) “IBM plans to spend $300 million on R&D next year.”

2. Below are six statements. Identify whether each is a positive or normative statement.

________________ (a) The GDP seems to have decreased as the US has relied more on outsourcing.

________________ (b) Government spending should be a drag on output over the next two years as tax breaks have been eliminated.

________________ (c) The Federal Reserve Bank has lowered the Fed Funds Rate to 0-.25%.

________________ (d) The government should make long run goals to eliminate debt problems in the future.

________________ (e) Tax rates have increased by 4% since the year 2004.

________________ (f) The general price level rose about 2% last year.

Mr. Ammirata AP Economics – Summer Assignment Sheet

3. The value of the vertical intercept is $20 and the slope is 30 in a linear equation for price andquantity demanded. If price is $80, what is the quantity demanded? State the linear equationand show how you found the answer.

4. The production possibilities table below shows the hypothetical relationship between theproduction of automobiles and forklifts in an economy.

Combination Automobiles Forklifts A 0 30 B 2 27 C 4 21 D 6 12 E 8 0

(a) What is the marginal opportunity cost of producing the second unit of automobiles?

(b) What is the total opportunity cost of producing the second unit of automobiles?

(c) What is the marginal opportunity cost of producing the fourth unit of automobiles?

(d) What is the total opportunity cost of producing the fourth unit of automobiles?

(e) Explain the problem with producing inside of the production possibilities curve.

Mr. Ammirata AP Economics – Summer Assignment Sheet

5. Explain how each event affects production possibilities (shift outward, inward, or neither).

(a) The quality of education increases and the high school dropout rate decreases.

(b) The unemployment rate increases from 4.3 to 7.5 percent of the labor force.

(c) Advances in telecommunications and new technology significantly contribute toeconomic growth over time.

(d) The Congress and the President decide to allocate more resources to national defense.

(e) A nation participates in increased international trade with other nations of the world.

6. Draw a hypothetical production possibilities curve for corn (place on vertical) and forklifts(place on horizontal) that represents the law of increasing opportunity costs.

a) Label a point “A” which is unattainable with current resourcesb) Label a point “B” which is attainable yet inefficient

Mr. Ammirata AP Economics – Summer Assignment Sheet

c) Explain the law of increasing opportunity cost:

d) List two ways we can get to point “B” in an economy

7. Draw a hypothetical MC and MB curve.

(a) Determine the points (on the graph) of over-allocation and under-allocation of goods andexplain why this occurs.

(b) What does the MC-MB curve tell us?

Mr. Ammirata AP Economics – Summer Assignment Sheet

8. Refer to the circular flow model to address the following.

a) Is there a difference between the upper and lower money flows in the circular flow model?Explain.

b) Why is this model referred to as the “the circular flow”. Please do NOT use the definition inthe text – your OWN words.

9. What do economists mean when they state that investment is spending on “goods for thefuture”? Use your own words

Mr. Ammirata AP Economics – Summer Assignment Sheet

10. Research and define the difference between Monetary and Fiscal Policy. FIND ONE CURRENTEVENT that relate to either Monetary OR Fiscal Policy – write headline below, source and date,discuss how it relates to the concept, and attach article with this assignment.

11. In YOUR OWN WORDS… define the following:

a) macroeconomics –

b) ceteris paribus –

c) positive or direct relationship –

Mr. Ammirata AP Economics – Summer Assignment Sheet

d) independent variable –

e) economizing problem –

f) production possibilities –

g) marginal benefit –

h) factors of production –

i) opportunity cost –

j) allocative efficiency –

k) productive efficiency –

Mr. Ammirta AP Economics – Summer Assignment Sheet

This assignment will be collected on the FIRST day back in school – BE SURE TO STAPLE AND COMPLETE ON YOUR OWN!!!

Exam 1 on chapter 1, appendix, and chapter 2 will be during the first week back – be ready and good luck.

Mr. Ammirata